Mattress construction



June 11, 1963 R. T. CLIFTON 3,092,849

MATTRESS CONSTRUCTION Filed OGL. 5l, 1960 f @www W @www TTOR/VEKS United States Patent O 3,692,849 MATTRESS CGNSTRUCTION Robert T. Clifton, 4828 Kathleen Ave., Castro Valley, Calif. Filed st. 31, 1960, Ser. No. 66,1324 2 Claims. (Sl. 5--351) This invention generally relates to the art of constructing mattresses, and is particularly directed to an improved mattress construction whereby proper support is given to previously neglected portions.

A variety of mattress constructions are Well known in the art which are intended to adjust to the complex loading presented by the varied weight of the human body and provide a firm relaxing support to every part thereof. By virtue of the major portion of body weight Ibeing concentrated in the region of the hips, it has been suggested for example, to increase the strength of the mattress on such region. However, irrespective of the hardness or softness of conventional mattresses, no presently available mattress takes into `account the provision of support for the small or ybridge of the back of the person using the mattress. lt is quite Aapparent that the small of the back is a critical region, and lack of adequate support therefor during the hours of sleep will frequently result in back aches, in much the same manner as the lack of an arch in a shoe during walking for extended periods of time would deleteriously affect the wearers foot.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved mattress having enhanced support in the area of the small of the back of the user.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a mattress of the class described having improved back supporting characteristics and a materially extended life.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mattress of double lbed size which has strengthened back supporting sections on opposite sides of its center individually positioned lto conform to the bodies of the particular individuals who are to normally occupy the respective sides thereof.

It is a further object of the invention to provide la mattress of the class described which provides improved back support irrespective of the side of the mattress that is exposed.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the speciication. I-t is to tbe understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing land description may be adopted within the scope of the invention ras set forth in the FIGURE l is a plan View of a preferred embodiment of the mattress of the present invention with portions broken -away to show its structure;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional View on an enlarged scale taken at line 2 2 of FIGURE 1; land FlGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but illustrating la modified form of the structure.

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown .a mattress 11 constructed in -accordance with the invention and which las illustrated and described in the ensuing description is of double-bed size and inner spring design, although the principles of the invention `are equally applicable .to mattresses `of 'all sizes and different designs. The mattress 11 is of generally conventional construction and includes a plurality of coil springs 12 arranged in a series of rows to dene a regular geometric matrix configuration in plan. The springs of transversely adjacent rows on one side of the longitudinal center line of the matrix conguration are secu-red together yat their tops Fice and bottoms by a plurality of longitudinally spaced resilient transverse tie members 13. The springs 12 on the opposite side of the center line are similarly secured together by a plurality of resilient transverse tie members 14. In addition, the springs in the groups thereof disposed `on opposite sides of the matrix center line lare respectively marginally secured tat their tops and bottoms by resilient frame members y16, `17 and Kthe transverse tie members 13, 14 are respectively secured thereto. In the resulting overall mattress `core structure 18, the longitudinally adjacent halves 19, 21 thereof are hence substantially independent so 1as to separately support -a pair of individuals reclining on lopposite sides of the inner spring. The individual springs 12 of each half are, moreover, s-ubstantally independently compressible to provide uniform overall body support in the usual manner. It will be understood, however, that the principles of this invention, presently to be described, Kare equally applicable to ltwin or single size mattress.

The mattress core structure 18 is covered at its top and bottom faces by insulation layers 23, 24 of hard fab-er cordage, such as sisal, which prevent coil spring feel as is conventional in the art. Cushioning such as dual layers 26, 27 and 2S, 29 of felt or the like is in turn disposed in overlying relation Ito the insulation layers 23, 24 to provide cushioned surfaces at the top and bottom surfaces of the mattress. Padded side panelling 31 is then secured -about the .side surfaces of the core and the entire structure is covered and tied together by means of ticking 32.

It will be appreciated that the mattress construction so far described is substantially conventional. As pointed out hereinbefore such la mattress provides no substantial support for the small of the back of the user, the users torso "weight being distributed to the hip area and the upper back arca, resulting in discomfort to the user and likewise resulting in eventual sagging of the mattress in the areas of greatest weight support. With the foregoing in mind, I have minimized fthe sagging tendency in the hip and 'upper back supporting regions and materially lengthened mattress life iand more importantly by the provision of strengthened supporting sections in the regions of the small of `the back of the user. More particularly, in the instance of a double bed mattress, as shown 1n FIGURES 1 and 2, the strengthened sections may be provided by linear no stag springs 33, 34 respectively secured transversely between the side portions of the upper frame members 16, 17 yand secured to the springs of a pair of transversely adjacent rows thereof in simil-ar fashion as the tie members 13, 14. It is particularly important to note that the no sag springs 33, 34 are individually longitudinally positioned to correspond to the respective positions of the small of the back of the two individuals who will normally occupy the opposite sides of 'the mattress. As illustrated, the spring 33 is spaced closer to the head end of the mattress than is the spring 34. Thus in the illustrative example, the strengthening or supporting springs are positioned to accommodate a relatively short person, eig., a Woman, on fthe hal-f 19 of the mattress core and a taller person, erg., a man, on the half 21 thereof. Mattresses of double bed size in accordance with the present invention may lie-nce tbe provided With the strengthening springs 33, 34 at a wide variety of combinations of individual longitudinal positions to conform to the requirements of substantially all couples in accordance with their individual heights.

Provision is also made in the mattress of the present invention such ythat it may be turned over or inverted and still present individually positioned small of the back supporting sections at the upper surface thereof. To this end, a second set of no sag springs 33', 34 are respec- VIn other Words springs 33', 34Vare spaced from the foot by the same distances the'springs 33, 34 are Vspaced from the head ofthe mattress.

-t -willrbe-appreciated that various alternatives to the no sag springs 33, 34 m-ay be employed to provide the Vstrengthened 4small of the back supporting sections in the mattress construction. For example, as depicted in FIGURE Ilfnubber pads 36, 37 and 36', 37 may be alternatively employed in place of the no sag springs. Y

Itwillbe understood that notwithstanding the addition of the added supporting means for thefsmall of the back, ythe yappearance of themattress will not be modified, and in merely'feelin-g the mattress, itis questionable Whether its presence can be detected. VIt will further be -understood that the height of the bridge of the users back varies, as does the weight and accordingly the strength or resistance offered by such means may be properly correlated thereto. In other words, the supporting means is intended to supply a support for the small of the back, but not apply pressure thereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A double-bed mattress comprising a core of a plurality of coil ksprings arranged in aV matrix configuration with the ysprings of adjacent transverse rows on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of the matrix being respectively secured lat their tops and bottoms to resilient transverse ltie members secured between the side portions of resilient top and bottom fname members respectively encompassing the groups of springs on opposite sides of said center line `and secured thereto, a resilient elongated support member secu-red transversely between the side portions of one of the top frame members and secured to the springs of -a pair of transversely adjacent rows thereof at a longitudinal position yadapted to be in supporting relation to the small of the back of la rst occupant, a second resilient elongated support member secured transversely 'between vthe vside portions of the second of said top lframe members and secured to the springs of a pair of transversely adjacent rows thereof at ia 'longitudinal position adapted to be in supporting relation to the small of the zback of la second occupant, a third resilient elongated support member secured between the side portions of the bottom frame member opposed to said rst upper frame member and secured to the springs of a pair yof transversely adjacent rows thereof 4at a longitudinal position spaced from one end o the core by an equal amount as said lrst support member is spaced from `the opposite .end of the core, a rfourth resilient elongated .sup-port mem er secured between the side portions of the bottom frame member opposed to said second upper vframe member `and secured to the springs of a pair of transversely adjacent rows thereof at a longitudinal position spacedfrom one end of the core by an equal lamount .as said second support member is spaced from the opposite end of Asaid core, and a covering encompassing said core.

2. In a double ybed mattress including a core with in- .dependentcoil `spring ysections on oppositesides of the longitudinal center line thereof, the combination comprising a pairgof elongated substantially planar resilient strengthening members extending transversely of the mattress adjacent the upper portion of said sections and respectively secured ,thereto at longitudinal positions which duringV occupancy by a couple respectively underlies the small Vof their backs.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

2. IN A DOUBLE BED MATTRESS INCLUDING A CORE WITH INDEPENDENT COIL SPRING SECTIONS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE LONGITUDINAL CENTER LINE THEREOF, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A PAIR OF ELONGATED SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR RESILIENT STRENGTHENING MEMBERS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE MATTRESS ADJACENT THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID SECTIONS AND RESPECTIVELY SECURED THERETO AT LONGITUDINAL POSITIONS WHICH DURING OCCUPANCY BY A COUPLE RESPECTIVELY UNDERLIES THE SMALL OF THEIR BACKS. 